Tokyo In September, October + November (what to do)
There’s nothing I love more than fall. Well, maybe one thing – it’s Japan in fall. It’s seriously the best.
So welcome to my list of the best things to do in Tokyo in September, October and November.
Let’s get to it.
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Visiting Tokyo In Fall (why should I?)
Besides the spring season, autumn is definitely the other best time to visit Tokyo.
As you may know, summers in Japan get pretty hot and humid. It’s like tropical heat, really. So autumn is always a welcome breath of fresh (cooler) air.
Here are a few reasons why it’s a great time to visit Tokyo then:
The weather is perfect for walking around, traveling and enjoying the city
The leaves changing colors offers unmatched beauty
There are no major Japanese holidays to compete with
You can better enjoy more warming dishes, like nabe (hot pot) or even ramen
You can enjoy fall festivals without baking in the heat
The general vibe and whole aesthetic of Tokyo in the fall just hits right
What to Do In Tokyo In September
Although summer is coming to an end by September, it’s still quite hot in Tokyo. So t-shirts, loose clothing and summer planning is still on the table.
Naturally, there are plenty of awesome adventures to be had.
Here are some fun things to do in Tokyo in September.
Go to Some Festivals + Concerts
From more traditional “bon-odori” dance and portable shrine (mikoshi) festivals to Ultra Japan EDM fest, September is full of events.
And since the weather is still nice, September is the perfect time to enjoy some end-of-summer festivities.
In fact, there’s so many events, I can’t list them all here.
But you can easily check what’s happening each month and each week on Tokyo Cheapo’s site. They keep things updated and have easy navigation.
See Tokyo (from a boat)
I recently went on a cruise around Yokohama to see the industrial factories at night – and it was amazing.
So I can definitely recommend checking this out. You’ll just need to buy tickets and make sure there’s availability.
There are a few different companies and boat cruises you can take, so you may want to spend some time researching which is best for you.
You can learn more about taking a Tokyo boat cruise here.
Relax At A Beachy Area
Before summer leaves, heading to the beach (or a beachy area) is a great way to spend a September weekend in Tokyo.
One of my favorite spots is Enoshima and the Kamakura area (which is famous for the Great Buddha statue, Daibutsu).
Technically, Enoshima and Kamakura are part of Kanagawa prefecture (not Tokyo), but you can get there in about an hour and a half by train.
Another popular beach spot in Tokyo is Odaiba beach.
It’s worth noting however that I don’t generally see people swimming around Tokyo beaches (perhaps due to water quality issues).
Still, it’s a vibe being next to the water on a warm sunny day.
Go On A Walking Tour
One of my favorite ways to explore Tokyo is on foot.
You always find hidden gems and get a little lost (but not too lost – you can usually find a train station if you walk in any direction for long enough).
Walking is perfect for stumbling onto cool Yokocho alleys and izakayas, watching local buskers do their thing and discovering hidden side-street cafes.
Plus, you’ll rarely be far from a conbini (convenient store) or vending machine for drinks and snacks.
And as the weather starts to cool down a bit (especially towards the end of the month), this is the perfect time for a walking tour.
I would recommend however that you have access to the internet on your phone.
You can pick up a local SIM card at big electronic stores like Bic Camera, at the airport or through Mobal.com.
Attend A Sporting Event
Looking to enjoy some friendly competition and games?
Consider going to a sporting event! There are many sports and events happening in Tokyo around September (and beyond).
For example, sumo happens every September (also in January and May) in Tokyo. The biggest caveat here is the tickets are hard to come by.
So you could opt to watch sumo training rather than a competition. Or you could explore less popular events, such as university competitions.
But there are (obviously) more sports to watch besides sumo.
You could check out other traditional events like judo or kendo or grab some tickets to a soccer, rugby, basketball or baseball match, which are also very popular.
What to Do In Tokyo In October
October is when the summer heat really starts to retreat. It’s a breath of fresh air and I believe everyone’s happier for it.
Fall-themed drinks and finding unique autumn clothes aren’t the only things I love about this time.
Here are some fun things to do in Tokyo in October.
Enjoy Halloween Events (+ more festivals)
Halloween is a more recent addition to Japanese culture, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t fun to be had.
Shibuya is probably the most popular spot for a Halloween celebration (although, the city ward’s mayor asked people not to come this year, in an effort to curb the crowd).
But there are other events to enjoy as well.
For example, the Bake Neko festival is a parade where everyone has to dress up as a spooky cat (neko = cat; bake = ghost or supernatural).
There are also many local concerts, bars, clubs and venues that have costume events and Halloween-themed parties.
So a little trip down a Google rabbit hole or two should do the trick here.
Besides Halloween, there are other festivals worth exploring in October, such as jazz fests, beer fests and illuminations.
Go Novelty Shopping
I love shopping in Tokyo – so many gems and unique items that you can’t find anywhere else.
From the luxury shops of Ginza to the thrift stores of Shimokitazawa, there’s always something to find.
Personally, I love thrifting the best.
And October’s the perfect time to give our wardrobes a little love – you know, as fall really starts to set in.
There are tons of secondhand stores and thrifting areas throughout Tokyo, but my personal favorites are Shimokitaza, Kichijoji and Shibuya.
But if you’re looking for a bigger store with more options, Hard Off is a popular choice too.
They have them all throughout Japan and some branches will carry clothing (especially Mode Off).
Hard Off is also a great place to pick up a used camera, some electronics or music equipment.
But besides thrifting, there is one more store worth exploring:
“Donki” (as it’s colloquially known).
Donki (Don Quixote) is a superstore for literally everything and anything.
Stacked shelves, random trinkets, drinks and food all in one place (plus Halloween costumes).
It’s always worth a visit.
Recommended: 10 Travel Tips for Tokyo (my best advice)
Relax In Tokyo’s Beautiful Parks + Gardens
The weather in Tokyo during October is still quite nice – even hot (especially in early October).
So this is the perfect time to do some end-of-season park ventures or garden exploring before the cooler air arrives.
And Tokyo is loaded with parks and gardens – too many to mention in one post.
But here are a few of my favorites:
Inokashira Park in Kichijoji
Shinjuku Gyoen
Shibuya’s Miyashita rooftop park
Yoyogi park (and Meiji Shrine) next to Harajuku station
Tokyo Imperial Palace
Ueno park
Enjoy Hikes + Nature
Tokyo (and the surrounding areas) have a lot of nature and hiking (somewhat surprisingly).
And October is the perfect time to do some exploring (it’s not too cold, but not too hot).
So here are a few spots worth checking out:
Todoroki Valley (more like a park; easy)
Mt. Takao (easy)
Mt. Kobo (easy)
Kinchakuda (easy)
Meiji Shrine (there’s lots of lush nature and trails here)
Koyo season technically starts in October also, so you may catch a glimpse of some nice fall foliage starting.
What to Do In Tokyo In November
November is an amazing time in Tokyo. The weather’s cooling down and end-of-the-year festivities are just around the corner.
So here are some fun things I like to do in Tokyo in November.
Enjoy the Koyo Season
Naturally, the Japanese koyo season (fall foliage) is the first thing that comes to mind for November.
It’s beautiful and a main draw for tourists and locals alike.
Luckily, you don’t need to go far to enjoy the autumn colors and falling leaves. Tokyo is full of nature and mini forests.
Many of the parks and hiking spots mentioned above will also serve as great places to check out some fall leaves.
Do Some Artsy Stuff
I’m an artist and musician – so no Tokyo list would be complete without some artsy mentions.
Plus, Tokyo is an awesome place to discover and experience art.
From local galleries to bookshop districts, there’s no shortage of options.
For example, both the Tokyo International Film Festival and the Shinagawa International Film Festival are held in and around November (2023).
And every town will have its own local artist galleries and exhibits to explore.
But here’s a short list of some local indie artsy stuff to do in Tokyo in November:
Take a calligraphy class
Check out local art events or go to an artsy Meetup
Have coffee at Tokyo’s 2D Cafe
Explore the local art scene
Enjoy Some Epic Indoor Entertainment
As the weather gets cooler, enjoying some more stuff inside makes sense.
Luckily, there’s no shortage of awesome indoor things to do in Tokyo.
So grab your scarves and check out some of these top activities:
Catch a movie at the theater
Go to a sumo match
Check out Tokyo teamLab Planets
Visit the Nihonbashi Art Aquarium
Go to the Ramen Museum or the Cup Noodle Museum (*technically in Yokohama)
Go to the Ghibli Museum
Go to An Onsen
No trip to Japan would be complete without a visit to an onsen – especially during the fall.
Onsens, or hot springs, are a core part of Japanese culture and a great way to enjoy your time in cooler weather.
You can also take things up a notch and really immerse yourself into the culture with a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
But if you’re looking for a spot to just try out a basic onsen, there are plenty of options and many of them are solid choices.
A quick Google search will be your best bet here (as I’m not terribly experienced with Japanese bathhouses).
But here are a few tips worth mentioning:
Check for rules about tattoos (especially more formal places)
Know the etiquette
Study some of the benefits of onsens
Take a shower in the shower room before entering the onsen
Want More? Okay. Here’s More.
